Laborers Union President to Retire;
Step May Lead to Government Deal

Arthur A. Coia, president of the scandal-plagued Laborers union, will retire on Dec. 31, leaving one of his top lieutenants to run one of the nation's largest building trades unions.

In a statement, Mr. Coia said he was "considering opportunities and finalizing options that I plan to announce in the near future." He said he decided to resign because of recent ill health and because of the strain the investigations have put...